There is a very old story involving Henry Ford and Swiss watchmakers. As the story goes, Henry Ford once sent a 1/64" drill bit to a Swiss watchmaking company and asked if they liked the quality and precision of the piece. The Swiss, in a notorious fit of humor, sent a letter back to Mr. Ford saying how much they appreciated the workmanship of the drill bit, and sent it back - with a hold drilled through it. Now that's where the story usually ends (at least from the Swiss point of view...), but reportedly Mr. Ford sent ANOTHER letter to the Swiss with the offer: "If you liked the drill bit so much, we can provide you a million more by next Tuesday!"

Quinn, I'm absolutely sure you're not immune to life's vicissitudes, but your constant upbeat attitude and dry humour makes it an absolute joy to viit your page every time. Thanks so much for all of it.

@MacroAggressor

6 ай бұрын

Well, there's a new word for me. I like it, added to the collection ^_^

Very well done, Quinn. It was good to have a refresher on the importance of being fastidious with every step when making close-tolerance fixtures!

“Squeeze every ounce of precision…” I wasn’t aware that precision was measured in imperial. Are there SI units for that? Maybe that’s why we stick with imperial in the US. 😂

@cerealport2726

6 ай бұрын

Metric ounces, obviously! trust me, I'm a random youtube commenter, so I'd never lie to you. Seriously though, there is a decimal foot, with 10 inches per (normal) foot, and 10 divisions per inch... I've used one in the oil industry to measure the length of pipe, but supposedly it's used by surveyors too.

@user-oe3dr9ij8k

6 ай бұрын

a wee dram

@gazmk1golf

6 ай бұрын

Metric is expensive when someone puts the decimal point in the wrong place 😂 im British and wish they would use imperial instead 🤦‍♂️

@blipman17

6 ай бұрын

@@gazmk1golf They’re just scales where one is mildly more convenient and for the other you need to whip out your phone for basic operations. Every decimal point mistake is expensive regardless of scale. What are you talking about.

@btodoroff

6 ай бұрын

There needs to be an "it just went over your head" emoji.😂

In my experience with birch wood Casey, and many other blackening agents, you’ll get much better results if you do the final rinse of the work piece with denatured alcohol……acetone is not water soluble, and actually leaves a slight petroleum residue, which leads to the blotchiness….alcohol is water soluble, and works much better with the bluing!

@kindablue1959

6 ай бұрын

I'd like to see Quinn prove this out in a future video.

@trevorlarson3984

6 ай бұрын

Good advice. I also found multiple applications using steel wool between them and rinsing in distilled water led to fairly uniform results, but also meant rebluing my Zastava M57 took forever.

@seanalexander9531

6 ай бұрын

I can't comment on blueing, but acetone is very water soluble. The residue is probably from impurities rather than the acetone itself.

@keirfarnum6811

6 ай бұрын

@@seanalexander9531 Nail acetone is probably purer than the industrial acetone found at hardware stores.

@johnhall8455

6 ай бұрын

Acetone is definitely the way to go…and as already mentioned…very water soluble

I probably would have "foolproofed" the alignment pins by offsetting one of them. That way, the top clamp can only go on one way. So if they're ever separated, they go back together the same way every time.

@dangerrangerlstc

6 ай бұрын

A simple single filed notch on one side will do the same thing.

@troglokev

6 ай бұрын

There is a Russian Proton rocket technician who would beg to differ.

@miked4327

6 ай бұрын

@dangerrangerlstc No it won't. A filed notch can still go on either way if you're not paying attention. Foolproofing the pins will only allow it to go on one way.

@troglokev

6 ай бұрын

You only need three pins to do the job of location, four pins is over constrained. That Russian rocket tech would still find a way to hammer it home the wrong way.

@bobhudson6659

6 ай бұрын

Please give Quinn credit for knowing what she is doing. All holes were drilled and reamed using a DRO. At tenths of a thou tolerance do you not think that Quinn would notice if the pins were 180 degrees out and she had to put extra force to mate top and bottom halves of the jig. Come on. Others maybe - Quinn no.

It's a truly impressive level of foresight you show when you deign to educate us with what lesser machinists would experience by accident!

@mailleweaver

6 ай бұрын

When you're perfect, accidents actually require extra effort to achieve.

These tiny parts are starting to make my head hurt. Mostly because I am a hamfisted machinist. BUT I LOVE IT! Sorry, didn't mean to shout. Very nicely done. This praw-jekt (HA! AMERICAN!) is really neat. Thanks, and Meow to Sprocket. And Happy New Year to you both!

Watchmaker enjoying this monstrously sized fabrication.

There's this one story floating about about an American tool company sending tiny sample drills to a Swiss fine mechanics company, bragging about how their drills are the slimmest and finest in the world, surpassed by none, and if the Swiss company would be interested. The Swiss sent the drills back with a note, apologising for their bad English but saying that they were quite sure that they were asked to demonstrate that they could put holes into those drills, which they did.

@Blondihacks

6 ай бұрын

😂🤣😂

I once worked with another machinist at a large electronics manufacturing company. He worked for a different part of the company, mostly on big fixturing pieces used for the environmental testing department and the like, while I was the engineering department's fixture, tool, and die and machinery designer and maker. He often argued with me that in his expert opinion, +/- 0.025" is all the accuracy and precision anyone should ever need. It really got heated when he'd ruin hours of my time, after I'd have trammed in the sloppy worn out milling machine and vise to 0.0001", by needlessly tilting the head for some silly 5 minute job that could have been done just as well and fast with angle blocks or some rudimentary angled work holding. Then he'd just re-set the head by the marks on the "horse shoes and hand grenades" stamped scales, insisting if it was good enough for him, it should be good enough for me. He went on to say I should just tell the engineering and management departments I worked for that our shop just couldn't be expected to do any better than that. I then asked him if he thought the company would be OK with me using his half assed effort in precision and accuracy and thereby providing them with forming tools and dies that would completely miss my often

The super blue likes lots of coats with a light rub of fine steel wool between them.

Happy New Year Quinn!!! Thank you for your awesome videos in 2023!!! Looking forward to your wonderful shenanigans in 2024!!!

Another way to do v grooves is to clamp a grinding vise at 45 then you can easily flip the part and approach from either side to the middle.

In reference to the precision mentioned at the start, this is why most professionals aren't particularly precise unless they are being paid specifically to be precise. Time is money, and they need to be able to get through parts as quick as possible. Outside of something like rocket or nuclear science, or metrology the watch words are "good enough". Only hobbyists have the time to chase zeros

So I’ve been watching your videos for about twenty or so years or maybe more who knows. I know this you are so smart and skilled. I love your videos and sense of humor. And just wanted to say thank you for your time and knowledge. And hope you had a Merry Christmas and hope you have a great next year.

Nice fixture. When I only have one to do, I put a piece of square scrap stock in the lathe toolholder and put the drill in the lathe chuck, then drill a hole that is clearance for the wire through the end of the stock. Then I rotate the toolholder 90, slide the wire through the hole I just drilled, and change the drill in the chuck to whatever I want.

You regularly remind me that I don’t have the inclination or desire for precision machining. I honor those who do. It’s such a high level skill. That being said, the techniques you demonstrate are incredibly helpful and can be applied in so many different situations. Great video.

Happy New Year Quinn, from wet and windy UK. Another fabulous and interesting video. Just one small point, as this holds the workpiece AND guides the drill, it’s actually a jig and not a fixture. 😎😎

@blondihacks Thankyou for an amazing 2023. Here's to 2024 look forward to more goodness.

Yay!! It's Blondihacks time!!!

Excellent technique and presentation! This is a simple and foolproof way of doing what may seem to be almost impossible. The correct mechnical engineering term for this technique is 'elegant' (no other single word sums it up as well.)

Never had luck with the birchwood Casey Love the brownells Thanks for the video.

oh woman. there are so many hard lessons in this video, I really appreciate it.

Just found your channel. Wow just wow, I have never seen a more comprehensive explanation for beginners. Thanks.

Thank you young lady for your video's. very much appreciated. I am not a metal worker but give me a block of wood, glue and screws I'm a happy camper. Between you, Joe. and this old Tony, you keep me informed in the world of hard chips and oil!! Thank you again and all the best new year wishes from New Zealand.

Great vlog Quinn. All the best for 2024 and many successes.

On the subject of cold bluing of parts (in my case replacement screws for a Myford lathe) I use Phillips Professional Cold Blue. Used by many gun repairers. The secret is deionised water but also brake cleaner. works a treat and no patchy bits. Happy New Year to you and all on the channel.

Quinn, thank you for another fantastic year of videos - I've learnt so much from them 👌

thanks for posting Quinn

Thank you Quinn I will use this today love all your videos I didn’t think you were yelling. Happy new year keep up the amazing work.

I like the old font. It had impact.

Awesome tool thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills.

Hi Quinn, I really enjoy your vids. Another quick way of edge finding; you can use a piece of cigarette paper, as the tool starts picking up the paper, you're just about spot-on. Keep up the great work.

I primarily work as a jewellery artist but do some hobby machining on the side. A tool like this would be incredible for jewellery applications! Amazing video

Happy new year Quinn! Happy new year Sprocket!

Thanks Quin. I always learn something from your vids.

happy New Year Quinn from Dublin , thanks so much for your wonderful and generous, zen-inducing world on 2023❤

Simple and elegant solution. Very cool!

Happy new year! Looking forward for what you will do next year. Always entertaining, often very useful.

Fantastic work Quinn. Many thanks for the refresher on stock squaring :)

This is really impressive! The end result speaks of the quality in your work. Great video

Not shouty at all. Your dulcet tones are always calming.

Happy new year

Very cool project, thanks

Brilliant, thank you

Happy 🎉 new year Quinn. Another nice tool and set of techniques for the ole quiver 🏹

Another great project/video Quinn! Happy New Year Quinn and everyone!

Thanks!

Wonderful as usual, thanks for the video.

Thanks Quinn, helps a lot.

Great video! Regarding Super Blue: Rather than wiping it on, use a cotton swab and "roll" the solution on like using a paint roller. Using a wiping motion actually blues and then removes the bluing. wait for it to dry and then continue to coat it until you think it is satisfactory then, use acetone to neutralize the chemical action. if you think it needs to be darker, first rub the surface with a clean paper towel , some color may come off, and repeat.

Not sure how the algorithm got me here, but I'm glad it happened now and I've subscribed 💕

Happy New Year.

Metric thumbs up! All of them! Thanks Quinn!

I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for this content.

Brilliant content as usual, Quinn. Side note on the cold blue - I actually very recently bought a bottle of the super blue that you used in this video, and I had the exact same conclusion as you did. It works, but it's just not as good. I'm glad you confirmed my thoughts 😁 Happy new year, can't wait to see what you do in 2024!

@shawnp25

6 ай бұрын

I’ve found when using that super blue, if you scrub with 00 steel wool after the first application then do a second you do get a more consistent finish.

@EngineerRaisedInKingston

6 ай бұрын

@@shawnp25 Interesting! As I've still got the bottle basically unused, I might give it a try next time I have a part that needs it. Thanks!

@kindablue1959

6 ай бұрын

A comment above says it works much better with the part being alcohol cleaned vs acetone cleaned. I'd like to see someone verify that claim.

I recently used the birchwood casey blueing for a grip frame. It came out spotty and inconsistent at first. It says to use 0000 steel wool to even out the color between coats. This didn't work either, so I tried using the steel wool to apply the blueing. I rubbed it in vigorously with the steel wool and that really evened out the finish. I applied four or five coats and each time it got darker. Turned out very nice in the end.

Nice tool again. Have good new year.

That was amazing thank you!

I've used just about every cold blue out there. While different materials seem to prefer different prudocts, overal the oxpho blue and the T-4, both from Browenells are the best. I like the cream version rather than the liquid. The birchwood casey super blue is one of the most unreliable i have ever used. Looks dark when its first on but then almost immediately wipes completely off. Never had it make a quality color or finish.

super idea!!

Happy New Year, Quinn

"Steam punk lego brick" 😂 I like your sense of humor. Happy new year

That was fun!

The shop I was at exclusively used Brownell's 44/40 for cold blue. My Birchwood Casey experiences were similar to yours. The important thing is to keep using the known quantity you have a working process for, at least if you can get it. :D

Great job. happy new year

Brilliant Quinn, that solves a problem I have. So I am going to make one myself. Happy New Year to you.

Happy New Year

I like the hand bellows you have to clear chips. I might take use of that myself.

Happy New Year Quinn!! Happy New Year Sprocket!!! Your voice is perfect! Your vocabulary is perfect! -and this video is timely! (I was just setting up to make one for myself! Thank you!

In my experience with bluing solutions from various manufacturers and different batches from each, I’ve had to boil some pieces in distilled water and then apply/dip the solution, others can be used with minimal cleaning. The material can also absorb lubricants/oil, hence boiling, or adjacent materials eg copper from the wire used in the squaring process or lead in free machining steels which leads to a patchy or lined finish on the parts. Sometimes it appears the solution itself has a greasy feel or appearance and it leaves a patchy finish. There is no rhyme or reason to what happens except it happens when you don’t want it to. It is one of the truly frustrating parts of the vision you have for a project. This project is becoming a must watch series. Take care.

Great job. Thank you 😊

Happy New Year Sprocket and Quinn !

You sneaky machinist you! I sit down to watch some quality videos with my soup and some Mill Skills gets snuck in there too! Bonus Mill Skills with soup makes a great Saturday 😁

Your videos are great! Even the old ones haha. It always stinks that looking at anything someone made awhile ago has great potential to make that someone cringe at their own work

Wow! Very nice. Thank you.

Good job Quinn. I like what you did thanks Ray 😊

Gut gemacht ❤

Very nice fixture. Can't wait for some hand rails maybe.

Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year to you and your family 😅

Well presented Quinn. Thank You. Best Wishes. See You next Year.

Very nice, Happy new year 🎉

happy new year. cheers ben.

Terrific video! I always enjoy your explanations and demonstrations. Another youtuber that I've been watching for a while, Alec Steele, who has a channel vibe about 180 degrees away from yours (he goes for high energy! Music! Sponsors!) has started getting into machining. He's a blacksmith by training so his usual method is to heat up steel and whack at it until it's the right shape, then fix any resulting error in measurement with grinding - so it's been fun to see him on his journey of learning how to make precision parts. I mention him because a few people in his comments (including me) have been pointing him at your channel for some pointers on his newest model kit build, a tiny steam power hammer. I don't know if he'll make it around your way for some tips, but I've been really enjoying the contrast. Just goes to show, the joys of precision machine work can be for everyone! Thank you again, and looking forward to seeing this tiny fixture in action!

@Blondihacks

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for mentioning my channel! 😄😄

@BasementEngineer

6 ай бұрын

Susan: Reminds me of a little ditty from my tool making days now oh so long ago: "Measure with mics, mark with chalk, cut with axe, beat to fit, paint to match". They were good days for the times.

" Circuit board " drills and a small Harvey Tool spotting drill are good to have in your toybox for doing small work. I used to use them every day to drill holes as small as 0.012". Occasionally I would have to spot face with a small endmill first. A precise and good spotting drill is more important than you might think as many lesser tools have the points ground off center. It may not matter for bigger drills but for the smallest drills, it has to be perfect.

👏Very accurate indeed.

Actually I always learn something from you and as I see you are quite widely referenced

Nice job on those alignment pins! Fits like that take patience, and plenty of skill. :)

I love how at the 0:55 mark the angle of the camera, the angles of the V groove, and the hole make a perfect heart.

Happy new year Quinn. Thank you for all the videos, humour and of course Sprocket! I what turned outvto be a prity crapy year they have cheered me up no end 😀

Not much to say except that you're awesome, and Happy New Year ❤😂🎉. Looking forward to my Saturday routine for 2024.

I use super blue with the following process. It gives me pretty good results. 1. Clean parts in acetone and let dry 2. Dip parts in super blue or apply with a rag if too large 3. Rub off excess 4. Clean in acetone 5. Wipe off white crust 6. Repeat 2-5 7. Leave in a jar of oil for several hours. Hope this helps.

Happy New Year to you and Sprocket !!! we lost our kitty a few months back so give Sprocket an extra hug from us!!

@Blondihacks

6 ай бұрын

🤗🤗🤗

Thanks for the video. I am coming up to some drilling of very small holes in wire for handrails so I think this kind of jig will be better than the one I had in mind.

With this fixture it is finally possible for me to get the prince albert ive always wanted 😊 🎉

Old joke: a company had made an extremely thin wire, and sent a sample of it to a competing company, with a letter: "this is what we can make, can you do anything like that ?" After a while, they got the sample sent back, with a microscope mounted on it; the chief engineer looked into it, then shouted: "the bastards, they have drilled a hole in our wire!"

I use the Birchwood Casey Super Blue and find after degreasing if you warm the part first you get a way better finish.

Glad you test drove the cold blue was just about to buy some Birchwood; guess I'll be ordering some Brownell. Nice fixture....

Neat jig Quinn, Happy NewYear.👍👍